Quality Suites Universal South

Housed in a yellow three-story building that's standard among this chain’s older properties, the lobby area of the Quality Suites is refreshingly bright and modern, with a vaulted red ceiling. The breakfast area is situated adjacent to the front desk, which also features red accent walls and a ceiling. Granite tables and cushioned chairs provide ample seating. There is plenty of light coming in from a wall of windows and a good deal of space, although the area can get crowded with hungry families on weekends. The small game room with four arcade games is popular with children, as is the outdoor pool. Situated in the hotel’s courtyard area with rooms overlooking it, the pool area is spacious and set with several potted plants, white plastic lounge chairs from several decades past, and white patio tables with blue umbrellas. There is a covered hot tub area as well. The vast majority of guests here are families, though some business travelers choose the Quality Suites for its accessibility to the Orange County Convention Center. 

Situated just off of Highway 4 near Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, the area surrounding the hotel is wooded and green. There are similar hotels in the vicinity and a WalMart two blocks up the road, but few eating options within walking distance. The Orange County Convention Center is just across the highway, a nine-minute drive from the hotel. Disney World and Universal Studios and theme parks are both about a 10-minute drive away. SeaWorld is about a six-minute drive or shuttle ride from the hotel and Orlando International Airport is a bit more than 20 minutes away by car. There is a free shuttle to the theme parks, but past guests have complained that they've been left stranded due to the inconvenient schedule. 

Calling the 214 rooms suites is a bit of a stretch, as none of them have separate living areas, but for short-term stays for guests on a tight budget, these are reasonable rooms for a night's rest. With either a king bed or a pair of small doubles, all rooms offer a fair amount of space, including a sofa or sofa bed, coffee table, small dining table, and large flat-screen TV. There is also a mini-fridge, microwave, safe, air-conditioning unit, and coffeemaker in every room plus a wooden desk and rolling chair. Walls are decorated with framed tropical scenes, and colors tend towards soft greens, yellows, and tan. Furniture, curtains, and carpet are noticeably old and show signs of wear. Past guests have complained about maintenance and cleanliness issues like old electric outlets and stained sheets. Off-white bathrooms are bland but offer plenty of counter space as well as shower/tub combos. Toiletries and a hairdryer are provided. Rooms overlook either the swimming pool or the front of the hotel. 

For an older, budget-oriented hotel, this Quality Suites offers a decent amount of free perks. The free breakfast buffet includes a waffle station and hot items like eggs and sausages. Breakfast can be extremely crowded and hectic. There's free outdoor parking and a twice daily free shuttle to nearby theme parks, though guests should beware of the limited schedule. There is also a convenience store on site that sells snacks and drinks. For kids, there's a game room with video games as well as a spacious area around the outdoor pool and hot tub. Coin-operated laundry machines are available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and the front desk can assist with printing needs.